A Campus Ministry for ALL Students, Supported by the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches

That Most UnAmerican of Seasons... 

I sat on the Quad dispensing ashes right next to a booth in which sorority sisters were selling Krispy Kremes.  More than a few students marked their Lenten with both a cross of ash and a donut.  I wasn't terribly surprised; Lent,  that 40 day period of reflection, repentance, and charitable works seems so counter to American individualism, instant gratification, self-regard, and pride.  Yet that is precisely the reason for Lent - it is, despite our cultural context in which admission of fault or feelings of remorse or guilt are only for the most despicable sort of criminals, an absolutely necessary "tithe" of our year.  These 40 days are for staring down the well of our souls and seeing that all is not clear, cool, water, but muddied and troubled by fears and failings of every kind.  Jesus, after all, did not die  because we were in need of a little encouragement to be nice.  He did not rise again to defeat poor self-esteem.  He died and rose again to save broken, lost, wounded, fearful, selfish, prideful people.  Lent is the season to see it's true; that is who we are.  So we will stumble along, occasionally glancing in a mirror and seeing that smudge of ash again, as if we could somehow forget the more indelible smudge within.  Join us, because at the end, we'll discover another most unAmerican, even un-human of gifts; a divine grace that sees the smudges within each of us and still proclaims, "Ah ha! That is one of mine! For Jesus' sake,that is one of mine."

JESUS ON TAP - FEB. 28, 7:30 

Jesus on Tap is our night to talk theology at Tantra Coffeehouse, across from the little HEB. This month's theme: "The Bible and Sex and You."  Bring a friend.  We'll be done by 9:00. Ish.

God Goes to the Movies: March 22nd, 8:00 p.m.               

KNOW THE BIBLE Through SERVANTS OF THE CROSS, an order of students in ministry. A combination of classes and a day retreat will be used to cover the unit.  By the end of the unit, you will be able to open the Bible to any page and have a very good idea of what is going on, the context and the passage's place in the larger Bible story.  Not that all your questions will be answered or that every passage will be crystal clear, but if you know the biblical story arch, you will be ready to read and get even more out of what you read and hear.   Register your intent by contacting me, Pr. Jaime Bouzard.  THERE IS NO COST to take part in this class, but I must have your reservation by Wednesday, February 29. 

REVIEWS

Asian Garden Hot and Sour Soup:   Delicious and nutritious with bits of tasty surprises, all appropriate to the soup.  And it's inexpensive food (doesn't cost much) versus cheap food (doesn't nurture much); you get almost three cups of soup for $4.12, tax included. 

Texas State's Smoke-Free Campus Policy: Although often ignored, the University's smoke-free campus policy has meant students, faculty, staff, and construction workers are supposed to step off campus to fire up a smoke.  Christ Chapel and UCM- Wesley's facility is the nearest off campus location for many.  So, do we decry the evils of smoking, declare our property smoke-free and send the tobacco-beholden down the hill, 'cause maybe the Catholics won't mind them tossing their butts around?  OR... should we set up ash trays and let people know they are welcome to not only smoke on our property, but come in and have some coffee and maybe meet Jesus in us?  Let me know.  We'll publish the results next month.